Highly selective and stable multimetallic catalysts for propane dehydrogenation

Different mono (Pt), bi (Pt-Sn, Pt-Pb, Pt-Ga) and trimetallic (Pt-Sn-Ga) ca talysts based on Pt and supported on different materials (Al2O3, Al2O3-K an d ZnAl2O4) were tested under severe process conditions in the propane dehyd rogenation reaction (both in continuous and in pulse reactors). Results sho w that the Pt-Sn-Ga/ZnAl2O4 catalyst has a better and more stable performan ce in propane dehydrogenation (high yield to propene and low coke depositio n), than the other bi- and trimetallic systems and a commercial catalyst. T hus, the use of an adequate support (ZnAl2O4) in combination with the addit ion of Ga to the Pt-Sn bimetallic system enhances the catalytic performance . (C) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry.